Skip to main content

Accessing My Career Portal and Handshake

Logging into Handshake and My Career Portal (our new careers platform)

Logging into Handshake 

We recommend accessing Handshake through the My Career Portal, our new careers platform:

👉 My Career Portal

👉 You can also directly access Handshake

ℹ️ If you are accessing Handshake for the first time as a graduate, please use a web browser, not the Handshake app.

The University has created a Handshake account for every University of Hertfordshire student and graduate (up to 4 years after graduation). Your account is linked to your University student record. 

How to log into Handshake

1. Current students

You can log in in one of two ways:

  • Select ‘Current Student Log‑in’ and sign in using your University username and password
    (the same details you use for StudyNet and other University systems), or
  • Sign in using your University email address (e.g. aa99aaa@herts.ac.uk), via the website or app.

2. Graduates (within 4 years)

    1. Click ‘Sign in with your email address’
    2. Enter your personal email address
      (please ignore any message asking for your @herts.ac.uk email address)
    3. Follow the instructions to set your password

Top of page

Logging into My Career Portal

My Career Portal brings together careers support, information and resources in one place. You’ll find help at every stage of your career journey, including:

  • CV checks and interview practice
  • Placements support
  • Self‑employment tips
  • The  new Herts Excellence Award

👉 My Career Portal

How to log into  My Career Portal

1. Current students and staff

  • Select Student/Staff’
  • Log in using your @herts.ac.uk email address and password

2.  Graduates (courses ending before January 2026)

  • Log in as a graduate using your personal email address (from your student record)
  • Request a new password if needed
  • Graduates have access for up to 4 years after your course ends

3. New graduates (January 2026 onwards)

  • Initially, continue to log in as a student using your @herts.ac.uk email address
  • Within a few weeks, you will receive an email inviting you to:
    • Register using your personal email address
    • Set a password for graduate access
  • Once registered, you will log in as a graduate and retain access for up to 4 years

4. Students studying through partners or the College Consortium

  • If you do not have a UH login, you can still access My Career Portal.
    Email careers@herts.ac.uk and a member of the Careers and Employment team will help set up your access.

Top of page

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I still can’t access my Handshake account. What should I do?

  • Please double‑check that you’re using the correct email address and following the steps above.
  • If you’re still unable to log in, email careers@herts.ac.uk and the Careers and Employment team will investigate and support you.

I’m a new graduate and didn’t receive the password reset email for My Career Portal

  • This usually means the system hasn’t been able to match your email address to an account.
  • Email careers@herts.ac.uk and the team will investigate and aim to provide access within 2 working days.

I can’t access My Career Portal after following the steps

  • You may be trying to log into the wrong account. Your access must be through the account set up by the University and linked to your student record.
  • Please try again and contact careers@herts.ac.uk if the issue continues.

I no longer have access to the email address linked to my account

Your Handshake and My Career Portal accounts use the personal email address stored on your student record.

  1. Contact Ask Herts to update your email address
  2. Your Handshake and My Career Portal accounts will update automatically within 24 hours

Still need help?

Email careers@herts.ac.uk with your question and a member of the Careers and Employment team will respond within 1 working day.

Top of page

 

Contact Us

Careers and Employment

Today 09.00 - 17.00
The Careers and Employment Service is open to all of our current students and graduate for up to four years after their course ends. We offer daily video, phone, and in-person appointments with Careers Advisers. Appointments are available on both College Lane in the Hutton Hub and on de Havilland in the Enterprise Hub. To book appointments visit Handshake. Find out more about our services by visiting My Career Portal: https://careers.herts.ac.uk
LB416, College Lane